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The renowned publisher has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to lead the studio crew at their internal studio, which is currently working on the forthcoming third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.

Leadership Change Follows Mixed Feedback

The new appointee assumes the leadership position at the development studio following the dismissal of previous head Michael Condrey, who was removed from his post due to the game's lackluster unveiling last fall.

Recently, 2K president David Ismailer notified employees about this decision through an internal memo, which stressed that early feedback sessions had revealed the necessity for a clearer vision.

The president expressed that the team is now overhauling the project with a refreshed vision, aiming to address gamer demands.

A Pattern of Strategic Hires

This announcement echoes a comparable action taken by 2K Games in the summer, when they hired an industry veteran from Blizzard to assist with the beloved franchise studio Cloud Chamber.

Below is the entire content from Ismailer's announcement:

Dear Team—

I know you all just wrapped up your gathering - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the good news. Last time I shared you all a note, I stated the following: “I believe in this team. You all are some of the most dedicated and innovative developers we have had the chance to collaborate with - and we’re eager for that relationship to endure.”

With your dedication and flexibility, especially over the past twelve months, you repeatedly show that.

The community feedback from last fall’s Project ETHOS testing phase was revealing. It validated the appeal of a roguelike shooter but told us we still had refinements needed. It revealed the need for a clearer brand.

It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You embraced the criticism to heart and overhauled Project ETHOS with a refreshed goal - one that’s positioned to fulfill its ambition to our audience.

The belief in this project grows every day. To advance the incredible advancement you’ve made, It is a pleasure to introduce the new hire as the incoming Director of the team. Following a period of talks, Ben starts with us on Monday, October 20.

Ben’s guidance and experience in the PVP shooter field is extensive, having devoted the recent years creating and leading some of the most popular franchises in gaming, such as the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, the battle royale hit.

Please join me in greeting him in the coming days. We are all excited to keep seeing the development of Project ETHOS in the time to come.

The President

Background of the New Leader

Brinkman currently serves in the role of executive producer and production lead at Respawn Entertainment for their flagship title. He previously worked at major gaming companies in various development positions on the iconic franchise games, and, before that, had stints at other industry leaders.

Game Details and Vision

Project Ethos was unveiled in October 2024 alongside a community playtest. Then, 31st Union described the game as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective action-packed experience and an thrilling advancement on the style."

"Create your ideal gameplay session—or face defeat—in this engaging over-the-shoulder adventure! Customize your character in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the official summary states. "Face the opponents with fresh skills, challenges, and obstacles that evolve every session. Will you leave securely with your valuable rewards? Or go big, gamble everything, and trust your squad can earn top ranking? The option is yours."

Project Ethos has not yet received an confirmed release date or platforms, but players can expect additional details as creation advances.